Baby bodysuit with opening for diaper check

ABSTRACT

An article of clothing for babies and toddlers includes an opening in the back to permit a parent or caregiver to check for a soiled diaper without undressing the child. The article of clothing can be a one-piece apparel (onesie), sleeper, romper, bodysuit, or the like. The opening is provided in the back of the article of clothing, just above the diaper line. An extension from a portion of the garment above the opening can extend down into the opening to prevent direct exposure of the child&#39;s skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to baby clothing and, more particularly, to a baby's article of clothing that has an opening that allows a parent/caregiver to check for a soiled diaper without undressing the child.

Current baby bodysuits and one-piece apparel do not have a way to check for a soiled diaper without undressing the child or having to undo buttons, snaps or a zipper. A baby is constantly moving, which can make undoing buttons, snaps or a zipper to check for a soiled diaper a long and difficult process.

As can be seen, there is a need for apparel for babies and toddlers that provides a convenient access to check for a soiled diaper without the need to undress the child or undo buttons, snaps or zippers on the child's article of clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an article of clothing comprises a top back side operable to be worn on a wearer on their top back side; a bottom portion extending from the top back side, where legs of the wearer extend through the bottom portion; an opening formed between the top back side and the bottom portion, the opening permitting viewing down the backside of the wearer to check for a soiled diaper; and an extension extending from the top back side and into the opening.

In another aspect of the present invention, an article of clothing comprises a top back side operable to be worn on a wearer on their top back side; a top front side extending from the top back side operable to be worn by the wearer on their top front side; a bottom portion extending from the top back side and the top front side, where legs of the wearer extend through the bottom portion; a seam interconnecting the top back side and top front side with the bottom portion; an opening formed along the seam between the top back side and the bottom portion, the opening permitting viewing down the backside of the wearer to check for a soiled diaper; and an extension extending from the top back side and into the opening.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of baby bodysuit having an opening for a diaper check, shown in use on a child, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the baby bodysuit of FIG. 1, illustrating a user opening the seam to check for a soiled diaper;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the baby bodysuit of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the baby body suit, as taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an article of clothing for babies and toddlers that includes an opening in the back to permit a parent or caregiver to check for a soiled diaper without undressing the child. The article of clothing can be a one-piece apparel (onesie), sleeper, romper, bodysuit, or the like. The opening is provided in the back of the article of clothing, just above the diaper line. An extension from a portion of the garment above the opening can extend down into the opening to prevent direct exposure of the child's skin.

As used herein, the terms baby, toddler and child refer to a person that may wear a diaper that needs to be checked by another. The present invention is not limited to the type of clothing that can take advantage of the opening as described in greater detail below. The article of clothing can be any type of clothing that does not provide a separation at or near a waist line of the wearer in the back side thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, an article of clothing can include a top back portion 10, a front portion 22 and a bottom portion 12. A seam 16 connects the top back portion 10 with the bottom portion 12. In conventional articles of clothing, this seam is a continuous seam from side-to-side of the article of clothing. However, in the present invention, the seam 16 includes an opening 18 provided along a central back portion thereof. The seam can allow a parent or caregiver to open the opening 18 by, for example, putting one finger, two fingers, or the entire hand into the opening 18 and pulling the bottom portion 12 away from the top back portion 10, allowing the parent or caregiver to look through the opening 18, down the child's backside, and down into the diaper 20 to check to see if the diaper is soiled.

The opening 18 can be from about 2 inches to about 4 inches long, typically about 2.5 inches long. The seam 16 can be reinforced at the edges of the opening 18 to prevent repeated pulling of the opening 18 to stress the seam 16. Typically, the opening 18 is disposed in the middle of the back side of the wearer 26.

An extension 14 can be provided on the top back portion 10 of the article of clothing. This extension 14 can extend into the opening 18, extending below the height of the seam 16, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example. Typically, the extension 14 can extend from about 0.5 inch to about 2 inches below opening and below the height of the seam 16. The extension 14 can cover the child's skin if the bottom portion 12 is pulled too far down by the parent or caregiver, thereby preventing exposure of the child's skin.

While the above describes using the opening 18 for checking for a soiled diaper, the article of clothing, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be used for other purposes. For example, the opening 18 can be used to gain access to the child's back without undressing the child for medical reasons, such as inserting vital monitors to track the child's vital signs. Alternatively, a user could place their hand through the opening to touch, scratch or rub the child's back to soothe the child without the having the need to undress the child.

In some embodiments, the opening 18 can be made with elastic on the back portion 12, where the elastic opening provides a resiliency to move the back portion 12 back to its regular position (with the opening 18 closed) after the parent or caregiver checks for a soiled diaper. In some embodiments, snaps, buttons or a zipper could be added to the opening 18 to have the opening closed when not in use.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of clothing comprising: a top back side operable to be worn on a wearer on their top back side; a bottom portion extending from the top back side, where legs of the wearer extend through the bottom portion; an opening formed between the top back side and the bottom portion, the opening permitting viewing down the backside of the wearer to check for a soiled diaper; and an extension extending from the top back side and into the opening.
 2. The article of clothing of claim 1, further comprising a top front side attached to the top back side and the bottom portion.
 3. The article of clothing of claim 1, further comprising a seam interconnecting the top back side and the bottom portion.
 4. The article of clothing of claim 3, wherein the opening is formed along the seam.
 5. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the opening is an elastic opening permitting the bottom portion to be resiliently pulled away from the top back side of the article of clothing.
 6. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the opening is from about 2 to about 4 inches long.
 7. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the flap extends from about 0.5 inch to about 2 inches below the opening.
 8. An article of clothing comprising: a top back side operable to be worn on a wearer on their top back side; a top front side extending from the top back side operable to be worn by the wearer on their top front side; a bottom portion extending from the top back side and the top front side, where legs of the wearer extend through the bottom portion; a seam interconnecting the top back side and top front side with the bottom portion; an opening formed along the seam between the top back side and the bottom portion, the opening permitting viewing down the backside of the wearer to check for a soiled diaper; and an extension extending from the top back side and into the opening.
 9. The article of clothing of claim 8, wherein the opening is an elastic opening permitting the bottom portion to be resiliently pulled away from the top back side of the article of clothing.
 10. The article of clothing of claim 8, wherein: the opening is from about 2 to about 4 inches long; and the flap extends from about 0.5 inch to about 2 inches below the opening. 